spellbinders | catch-all open log!

catch-all open log!

Who: Anyone and everyone!
Where: On the beach, and various other places throughout the hub island
When: Day 80, and the next couple days after
Open/Closed: open log for hub shenanigans!

[This evening, someone has placed an old, rusted-over camp stove on the beach near the coven's row of huts--anyone examining it in detail will see that it's not operational at the moment, but that could potentially be changed, couldn't it? If someone was handy with mechanical things . . . .

Next to it is a crate (which, from the weight of it is empty) and pinned to that crate is a sheet of paper with a map on it, something like a much cruder, black-and-white version of this:

with the following key:

1 - crags. Contain snakes which may be poisonous. Watch out.
2 - ocean, going about one mile out from the coast.
3 - lagoon. Contains thick reeds (could be woven or shaped into tools) and frogs (edibility uncertain).
4 - abandoned campsite.
5 - orchard. Currently, trees are diseased and bare. Plant healer needed.
6 - abandoned house. A family used to live here, from the looks of it. Still contains some useful supplies.

And there should be a 7 north of base camp with the notation "graveyard. Graves unused." but the player forgot and is too lazy to go back and fix it right now. Observant individuals will note that the map looks like a more detailed version of one hanging on the door to a certain coven member's cabin, one that has a note on the bottom: "Have information? Ask for Jay."

Other than that, it's a quiet night on the hub island. We've been here for a couple days; maybe you're getting restless? Want to check out that ocean, or lagoon, or even those crags? Maybe just go door-to-door in the beach huts? Maybe you're sick of shrimp and looking for other things to eat . . . hopefully someone's got a fire going tonight, and thought to kill a boar . . . .

What are you doing tonight?]

((here or here for place descriptions))

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

Well, back where I'm from—

[9S halts immediately, but this time he's not quick enough to actually prevent a fall. A concerned frown tugs at his lips as he kneels, that worry only deepening when it sounds like Jude was most likely hurt this time]

What happened?

[Regardless of what the cause was, 9S is already helping to prop Jude back up, looking him over. That wasn't a long fall, but that doesn't necessarily mean anything, does it?]

My ankle...

[ he cringes at the hem of his dirty lab coat — he doesn't like it being anything but pristine white, he'll have to get it cleaned — but points down. ]

I think I just twisted it, but it... might be sprained.

[ using the strength of his elbows, jude tries to make an effort to stand up, but he doesn't get far, wincing and letting himself collapse back on the ground after a single failed attempt. ]

I-It could be worse... I didn't break anything. Maybe I really am a ditz, haha.

[ he turns his head and averts his gaze in embarrassment. here he is, dragging 9s down rather than helping. if it meant tripping all over himself he'd rather not have run into him at all. ]

My track record's pretty uh... [9S trails off rather than elaborating, because the straight facts would surely upset someone as kind as he knows Jude to be] Let's just say I'm in no position to judge.

[Comparatively speaking, 9S is far worse. His track record of getting heavily damaged and destroyed is something that stands out among other units. Some of that is owed to the vicious cycle intended to keep him from doing anything with certain information, but the rest is his own brand of recklessness.

Not that his awareness of the fact is enough to stop him or anything]

You'd better stay off your leg for now.

[It's not so much a suggestion as he's making it sound, helping Jude up just enough to make it easier to scoop him up. He's gotten friendly enough with the ground already, time to put an end to that]

N-Nines— !

[ jude yelps, flailing as much as a person with an injury can when 9s gathers him up in his arms. he can feel his face heating again, turning pink to the tips of his ears. and this isn't even the first time he's been carried like this, between 9s and alvin, although it's certainly the most humiliating.

what is it, though, that makes this time different? sure, he had been incredibly flustered before, but his stomach hadn't been doing these awful flip flops. he didn't have what he can only liken to butterflies.

jude stops flailing when he speaks, hiding his face in 9s' shoulder instead. ]

Nines, you don't need to carry me, I'll— I'll be okay. I don't mind limping for a bit. We'll just find somewhere to sit down for awhile, and...

[ jude trails off. even he realizes that for a doctor, he's being awfully hypocritical. ]

Edited 2017-09-29 09:00 (UTC)

[This isn't the first time 9S has noticed that Jude's pulse seems erratic, at least to his standards. He wonders if maybe he's managed to startle him and should've warned him, and the flailing only lends itself to that theory. Still, the only sensible conclusion is that he should pick him up, isn't it?]

I don't have to, but it's better for your ankle this way, isn't it?

[In the face of Jude's anxious behavior, he's doing his best to remain calm. He knows it's not a major injury, but it still concerns him. Human bodies are different from those of androids in many ways, among them the need for immediate response even with at times small injuries.

Considering one of them is a doctor here, he surely needn't say anything about that]

Honestly, limping for a bit sounds pretty bad...

Mmph...

[ muffling a defeated groan in 9s' shirt, he resigns to his fate and decides to avoid an inevitable argument. 9s is right. limping will only risk making it worse than it already is. he needs to stay off it until he can get the chance to find a place to settle and focus on healing himself. ]

I'm sorry. For the trouble.

[ jude is still hiding his face. he can't let 9s see him like this, at least, not when his heart is racing from more than just a little bit of pain. ]

[That irregularity remains, but Jude hasn't said anything about it. 9S thinks it safe to assume that he shouldn't call attention to it, though he resolves to look out for any potential issues it might be indicative of. Of course between them, he's not really the expert by any means.

The times he'd experienced a similar condition were...surely different]

What trouble? [He pauses, looking one way and then the other] I'm not seeing any around here.

[He's been carried before, when he was injured and unable to get around on his own. At the time, his thoughts were quite different than he imagines Jude's to be, but he wasn't bothered by 2B carrying him. She is, after all, the stronger one. It'd be impossible to forget something like that]

[ it doesn't have to do with being strong or weak. it just has to do with his stubbornness and his pride. he has no doubt that, in the same situation, milla would carry him, too. ]

You're impossible.

[ a weak laugh. it really does hurt, but he's not going to complain about it, not to 9s. it was his own fault he wasn't being careful. he was more focused on 9s than he was on the ground beneath his feet.

jude is... jude is starting to get a sense of what this might be. this thing. these feelings. and he doesn't like it. he can't...

he can't.

it reminds him a little of how he felt around milla, when his heart fluttered in his chest every time she looked at him. this is a little different, though. he idolized milla; he looked up to her, wanted to be like her, and at times he was confused by those feelings. this is confusing, too, but it's less that he admires 9s and more he just likes him. everything about him. he had feelings for milla, strong ones, whatever those feelings entailed — he still doesn't know, and he might never quite figure it out — but...

jude is getting concerned that likes him is more than just... well. more than he should. he isn't sure, still. maybe it's nothing. maybe he's just grateful, maybe he's just glad to have such a close friend in an unfamiliar world, away from home. maybe it's this, maybe it's that.

he goes limp in 9s' arms, wrapping his arms around his neck and hanging onto him tight, his hair tickling 9s' chin. all he knows for sure is that he doesn't want to let go just yet. ]

Edited (wording...) 2017-09-29 09:40 (UTC)

Not the first time I've heard that.

[Though what the comment is in reference to — his attitude or even the reality of his existence — had certainly varied. In all cases it's something he can easily shrug off... But in Jude's case, he's just glad he isn't fighting about staying off his ankle anymore. The sooner they find somewhere he can rest up, the better.

And to that end he debates, glancing in the direction of their base of operations, such as it was. He doesn't find that place very hospitable, himself, but it seems like what they've got to work with in the immediate vicinity]

Let's see here... We could head back to camp, that's not too far. [Though given Jude's reaction to being picked up, maybe he'd rather not be seen carried around] Or further away, I found some old residence. What do you think?

[It seems best to leave that up to Jude. Given the speeds he's capable of moving at, it's not as though he'd take as long as a human would to get anywhere, even while carrying somebody else]

[ perhaps it would be a little less selfish to suggest just going back to camp. the shorter route is the better route, right?

but perhaps even jude mathis is a little selfish every once in awhile. ]

... The residence sounds good. I don't mind taking a little extra time as long as you don't.

[ to be fair, 9s doesn't seem to mind carrying him. it certainly isn't strenous on him, as far as jude can tell. ]

Thanks for doing this. Not sure what I would have done without you here.

[With their course set, he turns and starts in the direction of the abandoned house he'd found before. At the time he was far more concerned with mapping, so maybe they'll find something interesting now that they intend to stop there]

Well, if you're not used to following someone, I guess it'd be pretty distracting.

[9S simply exists in a state of near constant distraction, being a Scanner unit. He's accustomed to his attention straying, and maybe for that reason, it wasn't often the case that it actually tripped him up. There were, of course, occasions when his focus would be diverted in the middle of battle though]

So you probably just would've punched some snakes or something.

[Said lightly, though he does believe Jude would've been far less likely to stumble if he didn't need to keep an eye on someone]

Edited 2017-09-29 10:03 (UTC)

Punched some snakes...

[ that pulls a laugh out of him. more of a snort, really, buried in the skin of 9s' neck. his shoulders tremble with it. ]

I think you're overestimating me. Besides, I can use magic, remember? Healing isn't the only thing that mana is good for. That would be much more effective. And less dangerous.

Don't worry. Once I'm back on my feet, I'll blast any snakes that come near those legs.

[His stab at humor's successful, and 9S spares a soft smile for that. It's easy enough to imagine that Jude's in some pain right now, even if he isn't complaining of it, so he's pleased if he can distract him from it even a little.

Though the offer of leg defense comes as a surprise, prompting him to look down at Jude for a beat. Well, at his hair anyway, as he can't see too much else.

...It's pretty soft, isn't it? But anyway—]

You're really sure they're not edible? Because blasting them might be a waste then.

[ jude chuckles again, belatedly realizing that 9s smells nice, that the weight of his arms underneath him is so pleasant, that the skin of his neck is so soft (considering he's an android, at that), that...

... jude really might be in trouble. he doesn't even realize he's clinging onto him tighter, just because he can, just because he's there. ]

Yes, 9S. I'm really sure.

[ ... maybe? milla would probably give eating them a shot. milla would eat anything. when it comes to food she's a force to be reckoned with, truly. ]

[The change in Jude's grip is something that 9S chalks up to settling in for a long trek, and not wanting to fall. He doesn't think too much of having his face buried against his neck, save for the awareness of warm breath on his skin, the awareness of which doesn't seem to fade as minutes pass them by]

And here there's so many...too bad.

[Not that he sounds especially disappointed by that. Sure it would be convenient, but chances are only ranged fighters or those impervious to bites could safely hunt those snakes anyway. They'd seen enough marine life in tide pools along the shore to suggest they could catch fish on the coast, at least]

In that case, sounds like blasting them's not really a problem, although I'm sure my legs'll be fine.

[Good thing Jude doesn't know how common it is for him to lose limbs]

[ definitely, definitely a good thing. jude might have an actual heart attack if he knew 9s blowing himself up was a rather common occurrence. more common than it should be, anyway. ]

... You're really strong, you know. Stronger than I am. Stronger than you think.

[ he doesn't just mean physically. ]

It's like you can handle anything that's thrown at you. No matter what it is, you come out of it with your head held high.

[ if only jude knew. ]

[They're kind words. Too kind, 9S believes, and it's not the first time he's found himself undeserving of Jude's image of him. It would be nice to live up to that, but he knows precisely what does break him down. Rather, what did cause that very thing.

He wishes he were stronger, at least in the ways he could be. Practically speaking, he was never intended to be powerful, and he's still more capable than other Scanner units by virtue of his modifications]

There's a strength in being kind...so maybe you shouldn't sell yourself short.

[Redirection, but it is something 9S believes. He'd become ruthless in his pursuit of vengeance, and so he thinks he's in a position to know something like this.

Jude is steadfastly kind, and he wouldn't say the same for himself. In his eyes, that's admirable]

[ jude isn't quite sure what to say. 9s is always calling him kind, and 2b, too... he doesn't see what's so special about it. he does his best. that's all it is. kindness is just... it just comes to him. he doesn't have to put effort into a trait he's always had. ]

You always act as if you aren't kind, too. Here you are, carrying me through a forest just because I wasn't paying attention. You don't think that's kindness?

No, not really. Androids exist for mankind, I think I told you.

[That sort of thing isn't at all the same. Androids are obliged to serve the race that created them, though that isn't his reason for carrying Jude to some building a distance beyond their base camp]

But in this case...you're my friend. Why wouldn't I want to help, if I could?

Edited 2017-09-29 10:58 (UTC)

Yes. You've told me. More than once.

And yes, really. I'd like to think I know kindness when I see it.

[ it's said with humor, but deep down jude isn't all that amused by it. he still doesn't like the idea. he's fairly confident that he never will. 9s is so, so much more than an object to serve mankind. jude has thought so even before they were truly more than just acquaintances, before they were friends. he's a person. a person just like jude.

now isn't the time to start that conversation again, though. instead, he leans even closer, sagging against him. his fingers brush against the back of 9s' neck. ]

A kind person should have the ability to recognize kindness in others, right?

You've seen how I fight, so you know...

[He's not a sparing or merciful opponent. There was a time when he had been, and he recalls it distinctly enough to know the difference. And he knows during that Uvi attack that he startled 2B, because in the absence of her he'd become colder. He'd become more ruthless. And he had to, in the pursuit of his final objectives.

Though it was brief, he has seen Jude fight. He knows that difference between them is something he can see even in those moments. But he is a weapon, and he's aware of that. It isn't something he minds, not like Jude seems to, and perhaps that's a matter of what they are.

But he'll forever hold that he knows exactly which of them is kinder]

My point was that you don't give yourself enough credit, saying I'm stronger so easily.

[Pot, meet kettle. Again]

9S.

[ jude just... he wraps his arms around him a little tighter in what can only be described as a hug. sure, he's the one being held, and sure, he doesn't have much choice when it comes to holding on, but he doesn't have to hold him so tightly, so closely.

he does, though. jude's face in the crook of his neck, breathing him in and trembling just the slightest bit. jude's hand reaching up to thread through his hair, cradling the back of his head. ]

Okay. I understand.

[ he'll leave it at that. actions speak louder than words, and he thinks he sees the house in the near distance. ]

Edited 2017-09-29 11:36 (UTC)

Sorry.

[9S didn't think he could be held quite so tightly, though with a metal structure beneath his skin, it's not as though one could really hold him too close. Well, a human couldn't, anyhow. In that gesture, he still recognizes that he's frustrated Jude again, and he wishes he hadn't, far from knowing how to remedy those moments.

He had taken to avoiding them, but it seems he can't maintain that under all circumstances. How strange, that it's a human he'd met such a short time ago who sees him in these moments. Maybe it was a misstep he'd made in the beginning that prompted such close attention, or maybe it's something else entirely.

But he wishes he didn't disappoint him, in moments like these]

...That's the house, up ahead.

[The fortunate thing about being a YoRHa unit, or one of them at least, is being able to cover ground quickly without fatigue being an issue]

Don't be.

[ jude wishes he could comfort him. maybe he's even more selfish than he thought; maybe he's just trying to comfort himself.

jude relaxes his grip and looks up to see it. sure enough, it's definitely abandoned. he pulls back to give 9s a nod. ]

I see it. Once we stop, I should be able to sit down and use a healing arte. I should still be careful, but as long as I focus, it'll help significantly.

It's a bit of a mess in there, but it should be free of snakes.

[The irony is that 9S is more troubled by the prospect of affecting others than with his own troubles. But then, he counts himself strangely, miraculously fortunate. Much of what he'd wanted to protect exists here, where he was once bereft.

It's impossible to lose sight of that, even months after waking to such a reality]

How much can you heal, anyway?

[He has wondered since that day they searched for wounded Palai, but this is the first time he's gotten around to asking. The things Jude can do are impossible for androids to imitate, at least in the treatment of organic life]

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